Productivity!

I made a quilt. Last weekend while I was watching 12 hours straight of HGTV, I also decided to use that time to finish this quilt. See, I made one for Kaitlynn when she was born- it was all cute and pink and white with Hello Kitty on the back. And I actually finished it before she was born. I was not quite so timely with this one, but it didn't really matter because Candice didn't expect it at all. She got it in the mail yesterday, so I can finally put the picture of it up. It's really so cute (Levi quilts are really the only ones I make 'cause if everything doesn't match up all perfect, it really doesn't matter. :) Happy 2 month Birthday Tate!
p.s. And here's also a picture of Kaitlynn with hers :o)

Thank You Bridget

So right now I'm eating dinner and about to go to work and I don't really have time to blog about my dinner last night. But I just read Bridget's blog, and she did it for me. She also wrote totally sweet things about me and posted the first video of me ever. Because my computer refuses to do it. I look a little chunky and am re-considering that shirt and my lazy workout schedule, but anyways, it's funny.
Oh, and back when, I said Brad and Bridget were more complicated than dating. Now it's back to dating. And Bridget is a rockin' roommate.
And I am not pissy today. My house is spotless, dinner was good, my workout was a mini-marathon, and I went to an amazing Institute class on Romans 8 last night thanks to Bridget and it really helped with my crappy outlook on everything.
Love you guys! Off to save lives!

It's a Britney Day

So you know when Britney walked into the salon and buzzed her hair all off? What was not surprising to me about this episode was that she felt like doing it, but the fact that she actually went through with it. Knowing that it would be splashed over every newspaper in the country and likely affect her career and her chance at custody, she still went through with it.
There are days when I feel like just saying screw everything and taking clippers to my head. Except that I wouldn't really know what to do with myself when I was done. And I'm not Demi Moore or Natalie Portman. I wouldn't look good bald. I'd show up for work, and everyone would get freaked out. I'd go to church, and the everyone would be like, "Um, what happened to you?" And my family would probably commit me somewhere.
So, friends, I'm not shaving my head today.
I'm just very very moody. And I'm going to go to the gym. And hope that does something.

Leeches and Bullets

So mostly this week I've just worked...nothing too exciting. Except that work was a little exciting. So you know on the Discovery Channel when they use leeches to help reattach people's fingers to improve blood flow? Yep, I did that. This lady had lost some circulation due to small blood clots and we attached leeches (from the pharmacy!) to help fix her up. It seems to be working...
Also, even though gunshot wounds are pretty common in Phoenix (unfortunately), I don't see too many, and I got to change the dressing on one and examine it this week. Super sweet. (It was kind of a high profile thing, too, so even cooler.)
Later!

Happy Father's Day!

This is my cute dad a little younger than I am right now. Isn't he cute? Isn't that hair amazing? So while sitting restlessly through sacrament meeting today, I kept thinking of all the things I love about my dad and my life with him. So here's to RC....(Oh, and I already made my mom promise not to get mad that I didn't think to do this on Mother's Day. She knows I love her so much, too!)
My dad came from a family where "I Love You" and hugs were mostly absent. He married into my mom's family, where a phone call to my Nana always goes like this, "Hi Nana." "Oh, my precious Christin. It is so good to hear your sweet little voice. Verdean!! Christin's on the phone. How are you sweetheart?" That's an inkling of what he encountered. It's a little touchy-feely-mushy-lovey. And oh, my goodness, how it's worn off on him.
My dad joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in July of 1978, a month before he married my mom. It wasn't something that he'd planned on doing (EVER), but he really felt strongly that what he'd been learning was true. It's this conversion that I think developed the character of this man I love so much. In my 28 years, I have watched him serve in several bishoprics. And I have seen him set the most stellar example of Home Teaching ever. And mostly, all this translates to watching how much love my dad elicits from people. At first, he sometimes comes across a little stern, but it doesn't take to long to get to his heart. I have watched him touch the lives of so many people through his selfless service and non-judgmental and loving nature. He gets through to people in ways that no one else can.
He was also a baseball coach, and the love continued there. Not only for the sport (which is also true and deep), but also for each and every one of the boys who coached.
He was mostly my dad. He still says things to me about wondering if he was there for me enough while growing up. He worked hard, he went back to college with 3 kids, and he served many hours in the church. And I always always remember him being there for me. I remember washing the truck in my swimming suit with him in the driveway and going on daddy-daughter dates. I remember dog-pile on daddy (THE BEST GAME EVER), and the way he would make the characters in our bedtime stories always "fluff." We always laughed so hard at that. He loves his new grandkids. Oh my goodness, you can watch his heart melt every time Kaitlynn says,"Papa..." Just ask him how many boxes of Whoppers he's bought for his office in the last 2 years.
When I was 10 we drove to Texas from Florida together when we moved. Mom and Brad and Candice flew. But me and dad lived on cookies and 7up and it was awesome. I even got a little sad when the rest of the family showed up.
When I was 18, my dad drove me to college. He and I drove 1800 miles to College Station, and he dropped me off in a town he'd never seen. I knew that he fully supported me in every decision I made. And he even listened to me talk the entire 20-ish hours we drove. Including reading aloud "Fitness" magazine. And now he even comments on my blog (and sometimes my friends'!)!
Dad likes the lawn immaculate, he ties the perfect bows on dresses, he irons better than anyone I know, and he fixes what needs fixed. He loves my mom, he loves his kids, and he loves the gospel of Jesus Christ.
No wonder I'm not married yet. He shouldn't have set the standard so high.

I THINK I LIKE IT BETTER

There are simply too many possible answers for these questions..

Mosaic

(See Jessica's blog for inspiration. It takes time, but is so fun. I love her!)

RS Slumber Party

About 9 days ago, I had a Relief Society slumber party. We called like a million people. And only 6 came, but it was still a really fun time. Ariana took some pictures, and here they finally are! I made Michelle and Ariana watch "Only You", which is so cheesy but still so fun.

Flash of Brilliance

So this morning I was lying in bed contemplating the outfit of the day. This is always most exciting on Sundays because I know it will involve a skirt. I knew today it would involve my vintage 50's skirt, but the shirt...what shirt would go best. And, then, I had a flash of brilliance. You all know this moment. It's when you realize that the one crazy shirt you've had for years will actually go with that new jacket and you didn't even realize those shoes were so perfect...and Look! The necklace even matches.
This outfit was a one-sleeved shirt I hadn't worn in 4 years matched with a new white layering shirt and a sweet newer necklace (I wear necklaces about once every 5 years) with some little purple plastic gems and a little purple eyeshadow. And some shoes Candice gave me years ago looked just fine with it.
I felt so so fashionable today.
(And thanks to Ariana who indulged my silliness and came over after church specifically to take this picture.)
p.s. When was the last time you had grape juice? I had it this morning and I'm sure it's been years and it tasted so delicious!

Gin Blossoms

I Love the Gin Blossoms. They are great. So, when I heard they were doing a free concert at Kierland Commons in Scottsdale, along with Cold Stone to raise money for the NICU at Scottsdale Healthcare, I was all over that. I was supposed to go with a girl from work who couldn't make it, but I had also mentioned it to some people at church, and 3 came! The first picture is of me & Tahlea, the guy in camo behind us is their lead singer. The second picture is of the band minus the one smoking and Kristina & Jacob. We had so much fun and it was a perfect day. Until work called at 7:15 and asked where I was. Apparently I had to work on Tues. Oops! 

On a side note, my friend Brian is in Missouri for a few weeks. So, at my disposal, I have Brad's Caddy, my Altima, my Bel Air, his Nissan Z (it's an older one), and Bridget's Honda. I drove 4 of them on Tuesday, but I couldn't find Bridget's keys. Good times.

Jacked Up

My sleep schedule is so jacked up right now. Over the past week, I worked some days and some nights. I've gone to bed anywhere from 9pm to 6am. I've woken up anywhere from 9am to 1am, and ended quite a few naps at 8pm. I was up for 23 hours and slept for 18. I have been living on Lucky Charms for about a week now. Mixed in with some yogurt and some berries. I am so jacked up.

Why I Love It

Today I went to the temple to do baptisms and was reminded of why I love being Mormon. First of all, it was a gorgeous, gorgeous day. The lawn was prefectly mowed, and the gardeners in big hats were watering all the flowers. All the workers were so cute, and all said, "Sister Carbiener, thank you so much for coming today."

But the icing on the cake came as I left the temple when a family stopped me to tell me that the gardener had just finished telling them that we are encouraged to "pick the ripe strawberries." It just seemed fitting that here was the place where strawberry plants are grown for the sole purpose of random people enjoying a ripe strawberry on a hot summer day. :o)

p.s. So I added a things I love about being mormon list to my 101 things list. It's at www.littlehappymakers.blogspot.com.

Unexpected Lunch Date/ 1 year anniversary

So one year ago today, I got in a Penske and moved from Boise to Arizona, trusting in the Lord to guide my path in this land I knew nothing about. Since then, a lot has happened. I've finally learned my nautical directions. (I actually know what the Northwest corner of the street is!), I became a nurse, I had dinner parties, I survived a summer living on my own, and learned to appreciate the company of my brother again after 9 years. And a bunch of other stuff. I can say it has been a great year, and I really feel like I'm growing here. And the stories continue...

Today I had the day off, and I went to get Brad's car looked at so we can sell it. The guys had been good to me at a certain auto place before, so I went back. Straight up, the owner creeps me out quite a bit. I don't think he's a bad guy; I do think he needs therapy and thinks I need to validate him. Overall, just uncomfortable. So we talk for an hour, and then his friend shows up and is funny but kinda crude, but overall pretty entertaining. Well, the part I needed wasn't in stock, so the guys were going to head to lunch and invited me along. I declined, asking if they could just drop me off at home (about a mile away). They agreed, but when we arrived I realized my house key was attached to the car key in the Caddy. So... what do you do? You freakin' go to lunch. So me and two eccentric 50 year old auto mechanics had lunch at Arribas in Chandler today. Well, my Rio Grande Enchilada was fantastic. And how many girls get free lunch along with their car repair? Ahh, I love this crazy life.